Chroma gives a slight grimace at the mention of the process required to converse with the guardian of the Quivering Forest. It reminds her of the training she endured from the monastery she hails from, where trainees were required to prove their dedication and commitment by undergoing several painful, grueling trials. On a similar note, she reminds herself that her specialty was in training against enemies more closer to her than what was being described in the forest - she definitely cannot remember her instructors ever teaching her how to dispatch of a large insectoid. 

"I have no preference on where we should set out for. Although," she says, replying to Krinix's thought. "Investigating the whereabouts of the luminous chamber and seeking the remains of whatever contraption you're building seems much more enticing than cleaning out stirges from a stable."

She remembers something Harken said, and she turns to him, gladly accepting and pocketing the expedition writ.

"You alluded to a set of ancient records when discussing the business Phlan's council intends to deal with. Is there a public version of the records we can see? I would be interested in exploring the history behind the settlement. It might aid us in our ventures."

Faerieth makes a mentle note of the ritual, assuming it would come in handy sooner rather than later. "Interesting, it might become necessary to speak with her if we ever find ourselves exploring further into the woods..."

Krinix agrees that investigating the luminous chamber sounds more enticing than the stables. He doubts that his skillset is of the type to clear out a mass of stirges without collateral damage. It is a puzzle that he will ponder in the back of his mind, for now.

“Yes, let us go to the luminous chamber.”

Qiran grimaces - the ritual needed to contact this witch seemed. . . sadistic and imperious.  He did not enjoy the idea of suffering pain to prove devotion to another.  That was the attitude of a tyrant - and if New Phlan was to spread and survive, the supposed 'sanctity' of the forest needed to be surrendered at the altar of prosperity and growth.

"I am comfortable with investigating the luminous chamber.  Then perhaps we head upstream?  We find the wellspring of fertility that was spoken of?"

 Jarvo chuckles a bit when Chroma inquires about the ancient city records.

"You're standing in them. All the city council representatives are knowledgeable about the ancient history of Phlan but I have the originals here, being the director. If you have any specific questions, you're free to come by any time and peruse the archives. I just need to be present, some of the documents require very special handling." he states.

Harken steps forward and moves towards the doorway.

"And if any of you need to speak to me, I work in the city hall records office. Just tell reception that you're looking for me. I really should be getting back, I no doubt have quite a few more names to record. Good luck, explorers! Jarvo, always a pleasure." Harken says and excuses himself, hurrying down the hallway.

Jarvo nods farewell to Harken and then returns his gaze to the map, addressing Krinix and Qiran.

"The luminous chamber should be just outside the old walls. It's about half a day's walk from here. It'd be close to where the old farmlands are. Most of them are abandoned now. There used to be walls guarding the farmlands in the ancient times; after the Black March tried to take the city some five hundred years after its foundation, dwarves began to section the old city with high walls between them to make a ground-based siege exceedingly difficult. Of course, that didn't help much when the attacks came from the sky. If you follow the ruins of the walls, you might be able to spot inconsistencies in the landscape. Much of the city's older structures will have been taken over by tall grasses, partially buried, or overgrown with plants. It's a good place to start, I think. I don't believe you'll find much trouble in that region, at least in regards to wildlife. That section of the old city is close to the former slums though, some of the inhabitants might still be lingering in that area." Jarvo explains.

"Oh! Of course. One final matter, and you're free to select your equipment and be on your way. Your council-appointed guarantor. I believe you would benefit from being accompanied by an acquaintance of mine, one Jules Tarot. He'll accompany you to the field and report on what you've found for you so you don't have to stop your investigations. He's an apprentice physician in our clinic, and as this expedition is a dangerous endeavor, it might serve you well to have an able healer among you. There are others, if you don't feel he'd be of any service to you, but I have faith in young Jules."

(Optional: add on your character sheets under notes and 'other' to keep track of the active reward bounties)

Bounties:

A horse of Course: City council would like stirges removed from a heritage stable. Would win heavy favor with senior councilman.

Greener Pastures: City council needs withering blight dispelled near the Quivering Forest. Will drastically improve Phlan's standard of living by restoring healthy farmland.

Heart of the Forest: The forest guardian, a fey witch named Sanharen, may grant unrestricted exploration into the Quivering Forest.

Krinix expresses gratitude for Jules’ help, hopes to meet the good fellow soon, get outfitted, and get out into the field. Looks like “Greener Pastures” is where we are headed.

Jarvo gets up and gestures out the door.

"If you'll follow me, we'll get you situated with your equipment. I'll send for Jules and he'll meet you at the town gates."

(Add 3 days' rations, a map of Phlan, firestarting kit, 2 potions of healing, lantern, spyglass and 'signal wand' to your inventories.)

Jarvo hands each in the group a short bronzed wand of sorts after their provisions are dolled out.

"These are signal wands. When waved, they will resonate with one another like a tuning fork. It's a way for you all to keep in contact should you get separated. Everyone in the expedition gets one, but they will only resonate with those they have previously touched. These wands have all been touched together once already, so they're a set and won't work for anyone outside of your group. If you should happen to ally yourself with other expedition groups, to add them to the enchantment, you all simply touch the tips together. Their range is just over that of human eyesight, so don't stray TOO far from one another." he states.

"Is there anything else I can answer for you before you're on your way?"

Krinix asks,

“If we run into trouble and have to defend ourselves, are we going to run afoul of any laws?”

“Are we likely to come across another expedition group? Do scuffles over territory occur? Is there some protocol to resolve that?”

“Are we expected to operate within the parameters of some sort of timetable?”

Jarvo nods and folds his arms.

"Salvage claim disputes have happened. The expedition may be happening outside Phlan's walls, but our laws are clear. Assaults and thefts have been reported and they are treated with the utmost seriousness. If you're attacked by another expedition group and are forced to defend yourselves, you will not be punished if you are within your designated investigation area. Each group covers a significantly different region than the others, and I'm the one organizing who goes where. It's my task to be certain no groups' territories overlap, so do NOT wander too far from your area if you want to avoid trouble... and if you see another group in YOUR area, trouble may have found YOU."  he states, then addresses Krinix's final inquiry.

"How you operate is up to yourself, but due to the nature of the expedition, I can't give you a new area to investigate until you either return without finding anything and want a new claim, or you have accomplished all you can in that area. Remember, the other expeditions will all be working too, so the longer you take, the more you will miss out."

Qiran carefully tucks away their new supplies, listening intently as Krinix continues to ask some very keen questions.  So far it all seemed reasonable - though he was curious about the nature of these other explorers.  The councilor put so much thought into keeping each group separate, and yet they still had disputes?  At least it sounded like they were free to defend themselves from those who would steal their plunder.

He heads for the door, apparently ready to meet Jules.

The group arrives at the Phlan gates where they are greeted by a somewhat short, fairly plain looking, young human man wearing ill-fitting scale armour he looks like he just purchased on the spot and threw on. He's carrying a pack full to bursting with supplies and is holding onto a few map scrolls like they're life preservers. He's also wearing a leather helmet but hasn't done up the chin straps, and boots fit for a hundred-mile march when the group is only walking half a day.

Clearly, not a man who's prepared for a life of excitement and danger, but he introduces himself to the group hurriedly. He seems loathe to give up his maps so instead of shaking hands, he just quickly bows his head in acknowledgement and then begins to fumble with his belongings, quickly determining the time and northward before he looks to the group.

"Well, we'd best get a move on. We should be near this 'chamber' structure, if it even exists, near sunset. Let's be fast about this, I don't much cherish the idea of being out there after dark." Jules mutters nervously,

Chroma expresses thanks at the instructions - the process seemed straightforward enough. She was secretly glad to have Krinix at their side; his questions were exceptionally insightful as to their current predicament, and she prefers to listen from the back of the room. She was additionally glad for the clause about defending your own lives - the hungry eyes of the prospectors aboard the ship had left her certain they would approach a conflict at one point or another. She stretches as she exits the cramped office, enjoying the outdoors. 

She approaches Jules, calmly staring down at him. She was thankful for the young medic to accompany them, and even through his nervousness, Chroma senses a courage under the apprehensive visage. Being overprepared for a venture was preferable to a hapless fool that exists only to seek a profit. "Rest easy, Jules. My name is Chroma. If it comforts you to know, I have had some experience surviving in the wilderness. I'm confident in my ability to protect you from any harm that could befall you," she says, acknowledging his reluctance to shake hands, but she still asks a following question. "That being said, I can only guard you if I know what we're fighting. What is 'there' at dark? What should we be wary of?" Following the comment, she claps her clawed hands together, and looks at the party in turn. "Jules is a medic, and that is crucial to our adventures. My question is - what do you bring to the table? Are any of you well versed in the nature of surviving?" Specifically, she turns to the Firbolg in the party. "You mentioned something about the trees speaking. I know your kind have an affinity with the wilderness. Can you provide us any advantage in the forest from these traits?" 

Krinix shakes his head,

”My skills are more academic than practical. I have some knowledge on things magical, historical, physiological, and as concerns various deities. But you’ll find I’m not helpless if we get into a scuffle.”

As he says this, Krinix extends a clawed hand out (and other hand dives into his cloak to clutch his crystal) and generates a crackling blue lightning bolt that starts spinning around his hand in a circle, faster and faster, before he abruptly closes his fist and the effect snuffs out. He drops his arm awkwardly, suddenly embarrassed at the little display. His intent was partially to instill Jules with a little more confidence in the team’s abilities.

(OOC: cast minor illusion)

"I... can assit," Faerieth says, "I can't understand them without some magical assistance... but I can at least try to curry favor with them. Also..." she looks around, "we wont go hungry while I'm here... so long as nature is willing to provide."

Qiran considers the question. It was appropriate for them to take inventory of their abilities. Chroma's own contributions were evident. She was a physical powerhouse. Krinix was apparently an arcanist. Faerieth was indeed a hedge witch or soothsayer.

"I am gish," Qiran divulges. "Hmm. In Common I suppose 'warrior mage' is good enough. My solving of problems, the solutions are usually direct and decisive."

Catching Krinix's eye, he holds up his spellbook. As he does, the image of a red dragon dances along it's cover before emitting a low rumble of thunder.

Krinix grins toothily and reveals his own spellbook: a neat, sleek tome bound in black leather. He caresses the black leather cover fondly, saying,

"Your spellbook appears quite potent, I like that effect. Mine sparkles with starry constellations when exposed to moonlight. I hope to be able to fill it with more spells eventually."

Krinix then stows it again safely at his side, covered by his cloak.

Jules doesn't look terribly comforted by Chroma's confidence, and at Krinix's  display, he visibly twitches--just shy of a startle--but manages to keep his nerve. He seems profoundly confused when Faerieth speaks, however, as if unable to comprehend how a giant-kin can sound... small.

"Oh, I don't doubt at all that you four will be fine. Let's just say it'd still be a good idea for us to get back before dark. This is Phlan, after all. We've been under siege by one horror or another for generations. What ISN'T lurking out in the darkness, that's the better question." he mumbles and triangulates his compass.

"This way." he says, apparently having studied the maps extensively.

Beyond the gates of New Phlan, the landscape changes significantly. There are clear landmarks where Phlan had attempted to expand and re-establish the former city borders only to be pushed back. Foundations where structures once stood are still visible and viable, and the stone walls separating different properties that were once places of commerce are largely intact thanks to dwarven masonry. As much as the wilderness has tried to completely overtake the terrain, signs of the old city are all around, from grass-covered steps to entire walls of buildings still standing proud, great halls presiding over their weed and vine congregations growing in the streaks of light bearing down from decaying roofs.

It's not long before trees begin to dot the old walkways and boroughs... but it's clear that the trees have been growing there for decades, planted for their aesthetics and surviving all that Phlan has been through.

Realizing that the team apparently means to return back to the city by nightfall, Krinix will plan to cast mage armor on himself at about noon, if nothing has occurred before that time. Otherwise he enjoys the stroll through the interesting "new ruins".

Jules comes to a stop near one of the trees and takes a look around. He checks his map, squints a bit into the distance, and brings out his spyglass while he attempts to climb up to a better vantage point, but gives up after he realizes he's carrying too much weight and doesn't seem to know how to climb a tree too well, either.

"Would someone take a look around, see if they can spot anything that looks out of place?" he asks, apparently unwilling to give up the general store he has strapped to his back.

Krinix holds out his hand and a lizard appears in a brief shimmer of rainbow light. Its scales are primarily blue and green, with a yellow frill about its neck, and it looks up at Krinix with intelligent eyes. Krinix tells it telepathically, Look for anything out of place. A strange-shaped hill, that sort of thing. Then come and find me. The lizard leaps off of Krinix’s hand, spreading out its arms to reveal yellow webbed wings, allowing it to glide gracefully to the ground, and it scampers off in a direction lateral to the one the group had been traveling. To Jules, he says:

”Perhaps if you got up on my shoulders? Otherwise I’ll defer tree climbing to someone more athletic.”